Updated June 18, 2006 10:58 PM

Outline
IDEAS
Santiam Scrappers Quilt Guild
Linn County Fair

Santiam Scrappers Quilt Guild
(SSQG)

Suggested Activities

New—Plan well in advance–Must do

• Begin now for 2007 fair
• Time table with plan outline
• Publicity & promotion plan

New—Promote, publicize–Must do

• Widely–Must do
• In advance–Must do
• Beyond fair exhibitor books
• Beyond guilds, quilters pubs
• During fair–Must do

Presently–SSQG at fair

• Booth, quilt & sew demos
• Various other activities
• Free fair pass, Booth sitters

New–Fair quilt show, CFQG/TVSF-style

• Publicize
• Quilt exhibit supers, Option 1
• Show or guided tour, Option 2

New–Quilt exhibit activities

• Find a block
• Mystery quilt contest

New–SSQG table activities

• Quilt shop, long-arm quilters displays
• Invite non-guild quilters to help at SSQG table
• Different quilts–on SSQG display
• Paper quilt blocks–contest
• Quilting stars–contest
• Quilt dater–fairgoers bring quilts for dating
• Post cards–fairgoers make
• Gift bags–fairgoers make
• Quilt block on paper–kids make
• Cheater quilts–do for newbies
• Community service quilts–fairgoers help
• 4-H type quilting, sewing–for fairgoers
• Drawing a quilt–young ages make
• Drawing a quilt–all ages make
• Glue a quilt block/quilt–all make
• All awards at SSQG table

New–New quilters & non-quilters

• Ugliest fabric–contest
• Mini quilt–demos, activity
• Color match: ?
• Fabric post card, fair theme–make
• Quilting trading card–make

New–Dedicated quilters

• Embellished quilts–contest

New–Digital quilts

• DQ done at home–contest
• DQ done at fair–contest

Publicity Guide–Quilting Events

Based on Canadian Quilters’ Association/Association canadienne de la courtepointe (CQA) publicity guide.

Publicity timetable–quilting event

• One year–Committee, first PR
• 8 months–Plan event, press list, PR,
• 3, 4 months–Store display contacts
• 2 months–Contact radio, TV
• 6 weeks–Newspaper PR's
• 3, 4 weeks–PSA's, store flyers, ads
• 3, 4 weeks–Press invites, VIPs, photos
• Day of event–Photo area, meet press
• Day after–Post PR's, photos
• Week after–Thank you's, event report

Newspapers, magazines

• News release format
• Preparation for mailing, folding
• Where to send release, editors
• Press coverage, editors names

Tickets

Radio, television

• Copy format

Internet (not from CQA)

• Web sites
• Write for "scanner" readers
• Basics–Lively, factual, tight, clear, short
• Short simple paragraphs
• Good headlines
• Friendly style
• Check readable, scannable, clear
• Search engine targeted

Quilt Show in CFQG/TVSF-style

Based on Cabin Fever Quilters' Guild (CFQG) at the Tanana Valley State Fair (TVSF) quilt show in Fairbanks, Alaska: Outline of what CFQG members actually do at TVSF.
• Quilt exhibit superintendents & judges
• Booth sitting & show presentation
• 45 minute show–Display quilts & spoken quilt stories
• Every hour on half-hour–Afternoon & evening
 • Publicity
• Quilt displays
• Small quilt silent auction

Details

IDEAS
Santiam Scrappers Quilt Guild
Linn County Fair

Santiam Scrappers Quilt Guild
(SSQG)

Suggested Activities

New–Plan well in advance-Must do

Begin now for 2007 fair

Time table with plan outline

Publicity & promotion plan

New–Promote, publicize–Must do

Widely-Must do

In advance–Must do

• 6 months to year in advance

Beyond fair exhibitor books

Beyond guilds, quilters pubs

During fair–Must do

• Table flyers have activity schedule
• Posters & sandwich boards: All exhibit hall doors

Present-SSQG at fair

• Booth, quilt & sew demos
• Various other activities
• Free fair pass, Booth sitters

New-Fair quilt show, CFQG/TVSF-style

Publicize

• Pre-event: Begin 4-6 months (see PR guide)
• During event & throughout fair: Posters, sandwich boards, event/SSQG handouts on SSQG table

Quilt exhibit supers, Option 1

• Judge quilts
• Clerk/Scribe record judges comments
• Hang quilts
• Entries include short story of quilt

Show or guided tour, Option 2

• Every day of run, Noon to 8 PM
• 45 minutes
• Afternoon: 2 shows/tours
• Evening: 2 shows/tours
• Publicized (see PR Guide)
—Pre-event: Begin 4-6 months
—During event: Throughout fair (posters & sandwich boards, event/SSQG handouts - SSQG table
• Narrative describe quilts in terms of:
—Quilt type: Baltimore Album, Bargello, oderie perse, Cathedral Window, Celtic, Channel, Charm, Crazy, Echo, Signature
—Quilt purpose: baby, lap, bed, wall hanging, shroud, commemoration
—How made: hap, machine, hand patchwork, applique, emoidery, whole cloth, paper piecing, red/blue work, etc
—Faic: types used, amounts
—Quilting/sewing methods
—Ages: of quilt, of faic, of quilters
—Skill level: group made, sewing bee made
—Types: names of blocks, quilts - nine patch, bear paw, wedding ring
—Significance of block type used
—Design type: traditional, original, ethnic, regional
—Why made: new baby, daughter's wedding, birthday gift, heritage, shroud, commemorative, auction, art, etc.
—Made for special person: who, why, when
—Any other story of quilt
• Free fair pass for booth sitters
• New booth sitters: Recruit non-SSQG people- adult, youth, senior centers, church groups, schools, LBCC classes

New-Quilt exhibit activities

Find a block

• Given: Pictures of all types of blocks
• Identify: Type of blocks in exhibit quilts
• Awards for all attempts: Fat quarters, etc.

Mystery quilt contest

• Clues
—Give first clue, find quilt in exhibit
—Return for second clue, etc.
• Awards at SSQG table
• Change clue sets each day
• 3 clue sets, each day new mystery

New-SSQG table activities

Quilt shop, long-arm quilters displays

• Invite local quilt shops, long-arm quilters
• Scheduled for hour or two
• Show individual specialties, classes

Invite non-guild quilters: help at SSQG table

• Church groups
• Senior center quilting bees
• LBCC classes and instructors
• School classes
• Boys and girls club classes
• 4-H groups

Different quilts: on SSQG display

• Different types, styles of quilts
• Display, describe to visitors
• Each day have different types
— log cabins, colorwash, Bargello, Stars, 9-patch, landscape, appliquˇ, three dimensional flowers, paper piecing, red/blue work, Baltimore album
—Feedsack quilts (old flour, grain bags)
• Scheduled as talk each day
• Publicize

Paper quilt blocks: contest

• Given - envelope with construction paper block pieces
• How many blocks made in 10 mins
• Awards on number of blocks made.

Quilting stars: contest

• Create star block from given pack
• Given – Packs of faic
—pack of squares and ½ sq. triangles, pack of diamonds, other packs
• Contest – quilters - how fast create stars
• Demos – non-quilters or beginner quilters – show them how to make stars
• Stars – 8-point from diamonds, 8-point from squares & 1Ś2 sq. triangles, 9 patch, 5-point, 6-point, MarinerÕs Compass.
• Discussions – discuss differences, methods of construction, how star blocks interact with other blocks (mostly they isolationist since only points touch edge. However, if 4-patch can be set in starÕs "tummy", illusion of connectedness made with other 4-patches blocks outside star)

Quilt dater

• Fairgoers ing heritage quilts to be dated
• Publicize when dater at SSQG table
• PRs, flyers, sandwich boards, posters, window displays

Post cards: fairgoers make

Gift bags: fairgoers make

Quilt block on paper: kids make

Cheater quilts: do for newbies

Community service quilts: fairgoers help

• Sew, iron, cut, etc.
• Publicize opportunity to participate

4-H type quilting, sewing for fairgoers

Drawing a quilt: young ages make

• Materials
—Markers, colored pencils, crayons
—Construction paper, 12 x 18 in sheets
• Draw square grid or triangle grid or use pre-drawn grid for young children
• Or use preprinted quilt blocks
• Choose topic: what they've seen at the fair - their family - animals, flowers, pets
• Draw topic designs, symbols in spaces
• Frame or color borders of blocks
• Sign
• Post SSQG display board or take home

Drawing a quilt-all ages make

• Materials
—Square blocks of cloth
—Cloth for border
—Faic color crayons
—Hot iron
—Liquid thread
• Pick enough faic for given size quilt
• Pick topic: cultures, today's news, birds or fish, comic book or video characters
• Draw ideas about topic on cloth squares
• Iron to set color
• Piece squares and border with liquid thread
• Sign
• Post or take home
• Have judged: by viewers or guild
• Option: let them cut with rotary cutter

Glue a quilt block/quilt: all make

• Materials
—Faics
—Block patterns
—Rotary cutter
—Hot iron
—Liquid thread
• Choose faic
• Cut faic to make block
• Piece strips together with glue
• Sign
• Post or take home
• Have judged: by viewers or guild

All awards at SSQG table<

• Scheduled time: last fair day
• Publicized

New-New quilters & non-quilters

Ugliest faic: contest

Mini quilt: demos, activity

Color match: ?

Faic post card, fair theme make

New-Dedicated quilters

Embellished quilts: contest

• 12" x 12" – using fair theme

New-Digital quilts

DQ done at home: contest

• DQ done elsewhere, ought to SSQG table
• Printed copy
• Awards - SSQG table, Sunday of Fair, or
• Winner must live or work in Linn County

DQ done at fair: contest

• DQ done at SSQG table
• Use a donated computer
• Time limit
• Sponsored computer
• Sponsored quilting software company
—Electric Quilt
—1-2-3 Quilt!
—Bargello Designer 32
—Creative Impulse
—Foundation Factory
—PCQuilt
—Quilt-Pro
—Quilted Photo Xpress
• Sponsored prizes (by computer or software companies)

Publicity guide-Quilting events

Based on Canadian QuiltersÕ Association/Association canadienne de la courtepointe (CQA) publicity guide

Publicity timetable-quilting event

One year: Committee, first PR

• Choose committee
• Design logo, theme, slogan, poster
• Send info to magazines, guild newsletters

8 months: Plan event, press list, PR,

• Prepare stationary
• Do press list – newspaper, TV, radio
• Begin planning kick-off event
• Plan exhibit
• Contact area magazines for feature stories

3, 4 months: Store display contacts

• Contact stores for display windows

2 months: Contact radio, TV

• Send letters to radio, TV producers asking for on air interviews
• Give follow-up call one week later
• Prepare spot announcements

6 weeks: Newspaper PRs

• Send newspaper press releases

3, 4 weeks: PSAs, store flyers, ads

• Send confirming letters, fact sheet, for all radio, TV interviews to program director
• Send public service announcements to radio, TV stations
• Flyers to stores for counter display
• Ads in newspapers
• Personally hand posters, flyers to guild members at guild meeting prior to show, ask them to distribute to friends, family

3, 4 weeks: Press invites, VIPs, photos

• Invite press - Send letter, RSVP cards
• Attend interviews with spokesperson
• Obtain photographer to cover event
• Present tickets to VIPÕs
• Scan papers, magazine - clip stories

Day of event: Photo area, meet press

• Set area for photos
• Publicity chairman available to meet press at entrance

Day after: Post PRs, photos

• Send press release to selected papers, quilt magazines with pictures, clippings.

Week after: Thank yous, event report

• Send thank-you notes to all who assisted
• Write report of all activities before, during, after event

Newspapers, magazines

>News release format

• Double spaced typed, 8 x 11 white bond
• One side only
• Wide margins
• Short paragraphs
• Upper left corner, group name, publicity chairmanÕs name, address, phone number
• Date right hand side
• Send editor original – keep reference copy
• Who, what, when, where, why, in lead paragraph (2 sentences at most)

Preparation for mailing, folding

• Fold typed side out, headline facing flap

Where to send release, editors

• WomenÕs page or family page editor - local newspapers, magazines
• Entertainment editor
• Small local papers - managing editor

Press coverage, editors names

• Make list of names, addresses, phone numbers of local papers
• Obtain editors names by phoning papers
• Invite press representatives
• Send invitations three- four weeks in advance of event
• Include self addressed stamped RSVP

Tickets

• Do not send with invitation
• Send tickets to affirmative replies
• Include map with exact directions to event

Radio, television

• Enlist spirited oadcaster as advisor
• Make station contact lists: call program department

Copy format

• Double spaced typed copy, 8 x 11 white bond paper
• One side only
• Upper left corner, group name, publicity chairmanÕs name, address and phone number
• Center heading to read Ņ20 second spot announcementÓ (20 sec spot has 50 words)
• Deliver in person, if possible: public service director
• Tuck couple of quilts under your arm to create interest
• Send to community bulletin board of local stations

Internet (not from CQA)

Web sites

• Guild web site
• Fair web site
• Quilting web sites

Write for "scanner" readers

• Most computer readers are scanners
—Read headlines, bulleted points
—If interested by headline/bulleted points
—Then read post or article

Basics - Lively, factual, tight, clear, short

• Direct style
—Declarative sentences not passive voice
—Don't take yourself too seriously
—Don't get pompous or dictatorial

Short simple paragraphs

• 30-50 words
• Short sentences
• Simplest word, sentence structure
• Omit all unnecessary words
• Article length: 250-500 words

Good headlines

• Use bulleted points when possible
• Use subheads: Every few paragraphs
• Bold, italics: Emphasize words, phrases
• Make posts easy to scan

Friendly style

• Don't take yourself too seriously.
• Never lose sense of humor
• Write like it counts
• Voice opinions

Check readable, scannable, clear

• White space is your friend
—Makes reading computer screen easier.
• Check post for simplicity, scannability
—Read out loud
—Forget business writing style
—Make easy to scan
• Check for understanding
—Clear to people who read only headlines
—Lead paragraph: Who, what, why, when
—Angle: Helpful, newsworthy
—Clear to people who know nothing about topic
—Jargon free
—Journalistic style, effort to be objective

Search engine targeted

• Headline, article uses keywords, phrases attractive to search engines

Quilt show in CFQG/TVSF-style

Based on Cabin Fever Quilters' Guild/Tanana Valley State Fair, Fairbanks, Alaska quilt show: Outline of what CFQG members actually do

Quilt exhibit superintendents

• Judge quilts
• Clerk/Scribe record judges comments
• Hang quilts
• Quilter writes short story of quilt

Booth sitting & show presentation

• Every day of run
—Noon to 10 PM
—45 minute shows
—Hourly on half-hour
• Narrative writer
• 50 viewers seats
• Free fair pass for booth sitters

Publicity

Quilt displays

• Velcro used to hang quilts

Silent quilt auction

• Shows draw more silent quilt auction bids